The Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VTC) organized by the Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (ABSACA) in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) enters its day three with the Project Manager/Executive Secretary of ABSACA, Dr. Ajike Kalu Eme leading the day’s VTC.
Dr. Ajike who explained the importance of the test while counseling the students, enjoined them not only to participate but also to encourage their friends to come and have the test. He observed that it is better to know one’s status in order to be on the safe side than languish in ignorance.
Also speaking, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of the institution, Comrade Ewa Austin, who disclosed that his office is working in support of ABSACA in the VTC project, urged the students not to shy away from having themselves tested of HIV/AIDS as that would be spell more doom to them.
In an interview, a woman ‘tester’ Mrs Okorie Ugochukwu explained that HIV/AIDS is not only contracted through sexual intercourse but through the blood stream especially in sharing of unsterilized objects. She advised young people to use the three steps of HIV/AIDS prevention of abstinence, being faithful to partner and the use of condom or any contraceptive to avoid contracting the disease.
Mrs Okorie further claimed that HIV/AIDS is no longer that deadly disease people that people think it is as efforts have been made to bring about drugs for patients the can help manage the disease and enable them live a fulfilled life like normal people.
Some students who came for the counseling and testing including Igri Godwin Ibor and Ajuzie Chidiebube Jessica, called on their friends and fellow students to come out ‘en mass’ to participate in the Voluntary Counseling and Testing exercise. They also thanked Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for reaching out to them through ABSACA and prayed for its continuation and extension to other institutions in the State.
Abia Online reports
30/10/2019
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